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The Atlanta Falcons suddenly had a key vacancy on their highly regarded offensive line on Wednesday. After starting at right tackle for six seasons in Atlanta, right tackle Kaleb McGary’s agent, Colin Roberts, announced that the Falcons right tackle is stepping away from the NFL.
“Congratulations to Kaleb McGary on his retirement and an incredible career,” Roberts wrote in X.
The announcement comes less than a year after McGary suffered a knee injury on the final day of training camp that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.
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FILE – Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Abbie Parr/AP)
The right tackle position is of increasing importance in Atlanta, as the team’s roster includes two left-handed quarterbacks in Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. McGary was expected to return in 2026 to protect the quarterback’s blind side once he had fully recovered from the injury.
Former Falcons quarterback and current team president Matt Ryan, who played alongside McGary for three seasons, reflected on the news.
Kaleb McGary of the Atlanta Falcons leaves the field during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 16, 2024. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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The Falcons’ offensive line has been a Pro Football Focus top-10 unit multiple times since McGary’s arrival, and continuity fueled Atlanta’s success. The Falcons’ line is also credited with helping All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson emerge as one of the league’s best players.
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) on the field during training camp at IBM Performance Field on July 24, 2025 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Dale Zanine/Image Images)
Last summer, Roberts announced that his client had reached a two-year contract extension with the Falcons.
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The Falcons turned to Elijah Wilkerson after reserve right tackle Storm Norton suffered what also turned out to be a season-ending injury ahead of the 2025 regular season. The Falcons moved quickly to address the open roster spot left empty by McGary, and Jawaan Taylor’s agents told ESPN that the former Kansas City Chiefs tackle agreed to a one-year deal to come to Atlanta.
